National Federation of the Blind 1991 Scholarship Program

National Federation of the Blind 1991 Scholarship Program

Future Reflections Convention 1990, Vol. 9 No. 4
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National Federation
of the Blind
1991 Scholarship Program
Editor's Note: The following is the complete text
of the 1991 NFB scholarship application form.
Each year at its National Convention in July, the
National Federation of the Blind gives a broad array
of scholarships to recognize achievement by blind
scholars. All applicants for these scholarships must
be (1) legally blind and (2) pursuing or planning to
pursue a full-time post-secondary course of study.
In addition to these restrictions, some scholarships
have been further restricted by the donor. Scholarships
to be given at the National Convention in 1991
are listed here with any special restrictions noted:
1. National Federation of the Blind Distinguished Scholar of 1991; $20,000; given by an
anonymous donor to recognize the outstanding
achievement of a legally blind scholar in 1991. No
additional restrictions.
2. Ezra Davis Memorial Scholarship; $6,000; endowed by Ezra Davis and given by the American
Brotherhood for the Blind, a nonprofit organization
which works to assist blind persons. No additional
restrictions.
3. National Federation of the Blind Scholarships; seventeen to be given: three for $4,000; four
for $2,500; ten for $2,000. No additional restrictions.
4. Melva
T. Owen Memorial Scholarship; $3,000; given in memory of Melva T. Owen, who
was widely known and loved among the blind. She
and her husband Charles Owen became acquainted
with increasing numbers of blind people through
their work in the "Voicepondence" Club. Charles
Owen says: "There shall be no limitation as to field
of study, except that it shall be directed towards
attaining financial independence and shall exclude
religion and those seeking only to further general or
cultural education."
5. Howard Brown Richard Scholarship; $2,500; winner must be studying or planning to
study in the fields of law, medicine, engineering,
architecture, or the natural sciences.
6. Frank Walton Horn Memorial Scholarship; $2,500; given by Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Barnum,
the mother and stepfather of Catherine Horn Randall.
No additional restrictions, but preference will
be given to those studying architecture or engineering.
7. Oracle Corporation Scholarship; $2,500; given by Oracle Corporation of Redwood Shores,
California. Oracle is known for its groundbreaking
relational data base management systems and related
software applications. Scholarship given to
encourage blind persons to excel in computer and
technical areas of study. Winner must be studying
in computer science, engineering, technical writing,
or a similar discipline.
8. National Federation of the Blind Humanities Scholarship; $2,500; winner must be studying in the
traditional humanities such as art, English, foreign
languages, history, philosophy, or religion.
9. National Federation of the Blind Educator of Tomorrow Award; $2,500; winner must be planning a career in elementary, secondary, or post-secondary
teaching.
10. Hermione Grant Calhoun Scholarship; $2,000; Dr. Isabelle Grant endowed this scholarship
in memory of her daughter. Winner must be a
woman.
11. Ellen Setterfield Memorial Scholarship; $2,000; given in memory of Ellen Setterfield by Roy
Landstrom, who says: "During the course of her life,
she gave of herself to defend the dignity and self
respect of those around her." Winner must be studying
social sciences at the graduate level.
Criteria: All scholarships are awarded on the
basis of academic excellence, service to the community,
and financial need.
Membership: The National Federation of the
Blind is an organization dedicated to creating opportunity
for all blind persons. Recipients of
Federation scholarships need not be members of the
National Federation of the Blind.
Making Application: To apply for National
Federation of the Blind scholarships, complete and
return the application on the reverse side of this
sheet. Multiple applications are unnecessary. Each
applicant will be considered for all scholarships for
which he or she qualifies. Please provide all the
applicable information requested and attach to the
application all the additional documents requested
on the application.
Reapplication: We have often awarded
scholarships to persons applying for the second or
third time. Even if previously submitted, current
applications must be submitted to be considered for
current scholarships. Those who have previously
applied are encouraged to apply again.
Winners: The Scholarship Committee reviews
all applications and selects the scholarship winners.
These winners, the same number as there are
scholarships to award, will be notified of their selection
by June 1 and will be brought to the National
Federation of the Blind convention in July at
Federation expense. This is in addition to the
scholarship grant. The winners are America's finest
blind students.
The National Federation of the Blind Convention
is the largest gathering of blind persons (more
than 2,000) to occur anywhere in the nation each
year. You will be able to meet other blind students
and exchange information and ideas. You will also
be able to meet and talk with blind people who are
successfully functioning in your chosen profession
or occupation. Federal officials, members of Congress,
and the makers and distributors of new technology
attend Federation conventions. Above all, a
broad cross section of the most active segment of
the blind population of the United States will be
present to discuss common problems and plan for
concerted action. It is an interesting and exciting
week.
Awards: The day before the convention banquet
the Scholarship Committee will meet to determine
which winners will receive which scholarships.
The scholarship awards will be made during
the banquet.
National Federation of the Blind
Scholarship Application Form
Read reverse side of form for instructions and
explanation. Form may be photocopied but only if
reverse side is also included.
To apply for a scholarship, complete this application
form and mail completed application and
attachments to:
Miss Peggy Pinder, Chairman,
National Federation of the Blind
Scholarship Committee
814 - 4th Avenue, Suite 200
Grinnell, Iowa 50112
515-236-3366. Form must be received by March 31,1991.

Name (please include any maiden or other names by
which you have been known):
State your major:.
Awards and honors (attach list if necessary):.
Date of birth
Community service (attach list if necessary):.
School address:
School phone number:
Home address:
Home phone:
Institution being attended in spring semester, 1991,
with class standing (freshman, senior,
etc.):
Cumulative grade point at this institution:.
Institution to be attended in fall of 1991, with class
standing. (Send by separate letter if admitted to school
after submitting completed applicaion):
List all post-secondary institutions attended with
highest class standing attained and cumulative grade
point average:
High school attended and cumulative grade
point:
Vocational goal:.
Attach the following documents to completed
application:
1. Send us a letter: What schools have you attended? What school do you plan to attend during
the coming year? What honors have you achieved?
What have you done to deal with situations involving
your blindness? What are you like as a person?
What are your goals and aspirations? How will the
scholarship help you?
2. Send two letters of recommendation.
3. Provide current transcript from institution now attending and transcripts from all other post
secondary institutions attended. If you have not yet
attended such an institution or have not completed
one year of study, send high school transcript.
4. Send a letter from a state officer of the National Federation of the Blind evidencing the fact
that you have discussed your scholarship application
with that officer. We prefer that you discuss
your application with the Federation state president,
but a letter from any Federation state officer will
suffice. President's address provided upon request.

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